Maine Community Foundation Features

Stefan Jackson of Bridgton, Maine, was born in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco in 1959. He went to Amherst College, graduating in 1981. He later attended the University of Pennsylvania...

James Ritter grew up in Frederick, Maryland. He attended the University of Delaware, earning a B.A. in political science in 1993. After graduating, he worked for MBNA in Newark, Delaware, as customer...

About Us

The Maine Community Foundation serves thousands of people who share a common mission: improving the quality of life in our state.

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create charitable funds that help Maine meet the challenges of changing times. Today, the foundation's assets of more than $250 million are held in stewardship for more than 1,200 funds.

Maine Community Foundation grants cover the full range of nonprofit undertakings, with a special focus in the areas of education, the environment, arts and humanities, and social and community services.

Since opening its doors in 1983, the foundation has awarded more than $140 million in grants and scholarships.

The Maine Community Foundation depends on volunteers to help review grants and build philanthropic resources. In 1986 the community foundation established the first three county funds to help with grantmaking in more rural regions of the state. These county funds, now numbering 12, are a highly effective way to build community capacity.

For more than 27 years, the Maine Community Foundation has been a leader in philanthropy in Maine. We will continue to play that role ever more vigorously in the future.

Resources for Donors

The Maine Community Foundation is one of the leading charitable resources for donors seeking to provide long-term support to strengthen Maine communities.

Known for its innovative grant program, financial strength, and prudent investment strategies, the Maine Community Foundation is a public charity incorporated in Maine and governed by a statewide volunteer Board of Directors.

A professional staff works in three program areas: grantmaking and program initiatives; resource development and philanthropic services; and finance and investments.

The community foundation offers a variety of fund options to meet the diverse goals of individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

As a nonprofit public foundation the Maine Community Foundation offers donors flexibility in fulfilling their charitable goals, and provides permanent, professional management and investment of charitable funds without the expense or effort of establishing and administering a private foundation or estate trust.